Falco (1957-1998)

Falco was born in Vienna as Johann
Hölzl. From early age Falco's interest was turned to
music. After playing in different bands like Drahdiwaberl
and the Spinning Wheel he decided to start a solo career
and his first album in 1982 "Einzelhaft" was a bestseller
at once. His musical style was unique in Austria and he managed
to combine German lyrics with the starting rise of rap music
from America. Falco always paid close attention to his lyrics
and was greatly inspired by avantgarde poetry writer Ernst
Jandl.
Although his follow up album "Junge Römer",
released in 1984 was highly critical acclaimed, his world
wide breakthrough came with his third album "Falco 3"
in 1985. Including the single "Rock Me Amadeus",
with was a number one hit in Austria, Germany, the UK and
the USA, it was his best-selling album ever. In 1986 he released
his new album "Emotional", which turned out to be
an enormous success, too. While his fame was rising, Falco's
personal life went downwards, rattled by a problematic marriage,
alcohol and drug problems. In 1992 he managed a midsize come
back with the album "Nachtflug". In 1996 he fled
the Austrian media and society and moved to the Dominican
Republic. After releasing two hit singles and just having
finished his new album, Falco died in a car crash on the Dominican
Republic in 1998. His last album "Out Of The Dark"
was released posthumously.